Former President Jimmy Carter at Habitat for Humanity in October.Photo: Mark Humphrey/AP/Shutterstock
Jimmy Carterdidn’t leta recent injuryget in the way of his volunteer work this week.
With drill in hand, the former president helped build houses in Nashville early Monday, just one day afterhe fell at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Despite the incident Sunday, which “required stitches above his brow,” Carter, who turned 95 on Oct. 1, and wifeRosalynnwere continuing to participate in their annual work project with Habitat for Humanity.
President Carter helped glue, drill and nail pieces of wood to build corbels as part of a project that will build 21 new homes in Nashville’s Park Preserve neighborhood from Monday to Friday, Habitat for Humanity has said.
Before beginning construction, Carter spoke with the large crowd of volunteers at the building site for a time of worship, sharing stories of Jesus and how every person has the ability to be “be a complete success in the eyes of God.”
Sharing the stage with Carter, according tothe Associated Press, was his wife, musicians Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and Eric Paslay along with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Lee’s wife, Maria.
Former President Jimmy Carter works at a Habitat for Humanity building project in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday.Mark Humphrey/AP/Shutterstock
Former President Jimmy Carter works at a Habitat for Humanity building project in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday.Habitat for Humanity International/
Carter made his initial appearance in Nashville on Sunday evening, just hours after his fall and treatment.
During the opening building project rally, he addressed the tumble and his newly-bruised face but shared that nothing could keep him from making the trip to Tennessee to help build homes.
“I got up this morning … I was getting ready for church, right after that we had a family reunion and we were coming to Nashville,” he said,according to video of his remarks.
“I fell down and hit my forehead on a sharp edge and I had to go to the hospital,” Carter explained. “And they took 14 stitches in my forehead and my eye’s black, if you noticed.”
“But I had a No. 1 priority and that was to come to Nashville to build houses!” he said.
On Sunday, a spokesperson for The Carter Center said that he “feels fine and wanted everyone to know that he and Mrs. Carter are eager to be at Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Nashville, Tennessee.”
Last year, Carter surpassedGeorge H. W. Bush‘s record as theoldest living president, following Bush’s 2018 death at 94 years and 171 days old.
Though still busy, Carter has contended with health issues in recent years: In May, hebroke his hipwhile he was on his way to go turkey hunting and sustained a fall that led to hip surgery,according to his spokeswoman.
He was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 but was successfully treated.
At the time, Carter said his message was “one of hope and acceptance. Hope for the best, accept what comes,” according to theAtlanta Journal-Constitution.
He said then: “I think I have been as blessed as any human being in the world.”
source: people.com
